WineCountry.com, an essential guide to what’s hot and happening in West Coast wine regions, highlighted the new food and wine pairing at the HKG Tasting Room in Glen Ellen, California recently.

“The HKG Tasting Room in the charming town of Glen Ellen in Sonoma is now offering special wine and food pairings created by chefs of the award-winning Kenwood Inn and Spa. Executive Chef Andrea Di Loreto and Pastry Chef Khambay Khamsyvoravong will match the wines from Hop Kiln Winery’s Russian River Valley estate HKG varietals with a seasonal array of food friendly tastes. In addition, visitors can purchase desserts to-go from the tasting room’s retail case, including individual pastries and sweet and savory pies.”

Check out a sample menu of a Spring Food and Wine Flight
Three HKG Estate wines perfectly paired with a trio of culinary creations.

Crab and Curry Mustard Creme Fraiche Cannoli
Wine Pairing: 2009 Russian River Valley Estate Chardonnay

Duck Confit on Crispy Polenta with Rose Petal Raspberry Preserve
Wine Pairing:2009 Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir

Bacon Gelato with Balsamic Reduction and Black Sea Salt
Wine Pairing: 2009 Russian River Valley Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir

Hop Kiln winemaker Chuck Mansfield was featured in Wine Enthusiast’s May 2011 issue in their article on “Wines Changing Face: How does an increasingly diverse U.S. population impact the wine industry?”

As a leader in the Millennial segment, which the magazine calls, “Perhaps the most influential emerging demographic in wine culture,” next to the growing Hispanic, African-American and Asian populations, the 26-year old Chuck finds that what sets his generation apart is “their universe of information.”

“While my parents may reach out to a couple of trusted friends for recommendations, people my age are more likely to get this ‘word’ from Internet review sources like yelp.com,” he continues.

The Millennial Generation, also called Generation Y, describes the current under-30 demographic born between the late 1970’s and early 2000’s, 80 million of whom will be reaching wine drinking age in the next 10 years, according to the magazine.

Millennials are marked, as Chuck notes, by their high comfort level with digital technology, communications and the media. To wit, the magazine points out that “67% of Millennials get wine information online, compared to 48% of Boomers.

A sense of experimentation in seeking out new varietals and a desire to connect with producers who embody their ideals is also what Chuck’s generation is known for, rather than just seeking out a good value. “When growers and winemakers are truly dedicated to sustainable, organic and biodynamic principals, embracing them as a philosophy as opposed to a marketing campaign, it creates a powerful bond with like-minded Millennials,” he says.

Click here to read the entire article.

The September issue of Wine Enthusiast magazine features Hop Kiln Winery’s 25-year-old winemaker, Chuck Mansfield.

Mansfield, who was named chief winemaker at Hop Kiln in 2008 at the age of 23, discusses the role of the Internet in wine today, the difference between generational wine drinkers, and the growing trend of organic and sustainable winemaking.

To read the article, pick up a copy of Wine Enthusiast’s September issue.